Represent Photo’s: Snow in Jozi
SEND US YOUR PICS!! I know we had to snuggle just a little tighter last night *yummy* and we even had the heater on full blast as a creepy whining wind swept around our walls… but we had no idea that our city was being covered in flakes! Till we got an early morning sms (Sharpile!) and were delighted to see the snow all around us. See our Flickr pics here and feel free to send any pics to editor@represent.co.za (BELOW 500kb please) if you’d like us to add them to our set. Enjoy. Photo’s...
Joy of Jazz line up announced
Linda has been jazzing it up all over Jozi, she went to the Joy of Jazz media conference to find out for you, darling Representers, just what we’ll be tapping our feet to this year. PR at end. I admit, I was star-struck when I saw Miriam Makeba – Mama Africa no less – chilling on the couch – as I walked into the launch of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz last week. I might have even let out an involuntary “oooh” when my favourite musical couple Letta Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya walked in, followed by the legendary Jonas Gwangwa. Here’s the great news! All of the above will be performing at this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, which is set to take place from 23 to 25 August in Newtown. This year’s line-up sounds absolutely smashing. It consists of Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Caiphus Semenya, Jonas Gwangwa, as I’ve mentioned, AND George Duke, The Count Basie Orchestra, Dorothy Masuka, another fine Marsalis brother – the trombonist Delfeayo (big brother Branford Marsalis performed at last year’s Joy of Jazz). Pieces of a Dream and Kunle Ayo will also be here. The Moreira Project will be showing their stuff, as well as newcomer and SAMA winner Siphokazi (she was at the launch and I was struck by how tall and graceful she is). Nokukhanya, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Ray Phiri and Stimela, Steve Dyer, and Thandie Klaasen will also be holding it down. In addition, there will be workshops for emerging artists and other events at taverns around Jozi. After the official briefing, the artists were requested to stay behind for a “photo opportunity”. I was tickled pink! Had to restrain myself from jumping in between the divas and asking someone to “please shoot me”. In about two months’ time, the spectacular Joy of Jazz will be upon us again, and I can’t wait! THE OFFICIAL PR: The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival has thrown down the gauntlet to all other South African jazzfests in the country by presenting one of the most diverse and powerful line-ups in years. What makes this year so different from previous festivals and other jazzfests in South Africa is that it will feature the first American big band to play here in about 30 years – the world famous Count Basie Orchestra. The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, which runs in Newtown from August 23 to 25, also pays its own tribute in Women’s Month by bringing together four of the country’s national cultural treasures on one bill – Mama Africa Miriam Makeba, Dorothy Masuka, Thandie Klaasen and Letta Mbulu whose illustrious musical...
Represent Review: Jamming Sundays
We’re always moaning about the lack of good live jazz in Jozi – moan no more, here’s yet another Represent solution for wafting away the Sunday Blues – good jazz and good people. Catch the best of breed muso’s at Partyhouse at the Dome – a little bird has been tweeting about Siphokazi for ages – sounds like she’s for real. Sharpile! to Linda for the gorgeous pic of Siphokazi and her soulful Sunday story. I attended my first “Jamming Sundays” on Sunday afternoon. This was the third in a series of concerts aimed at jazz and adult contemporary music enthusiasts. Much more than a concert, it’s also an opportunity to network, mingle, and just chill out as you get ready for the week ahead. The concert was held at the Partyhouse at The Dome in Northgate – a really nice venue for a concert – big enough so there’s no crowding and pushing at the bar, but also small enough for the artists to really interact with their audience. And what a vibrant audience it was! SAMA award winner Siphokazi and Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse were the headline acts on this Sunday’s bill. The opening act was Maxhoba (aka Max-Hoba, famous for his collaborations with HHP). I was blown away by his vocal talent and versatility. I have watched him perform, as a backing vocalist to HHP, but never on his own. He performed his own songs exceptionally, and also gave a unique flavour to ‘Tomorrow Nation’ by O’Yaba and ‘One Love’ by the legendary Bob Marley. I was particularly impressed by his rendition of ‘Please Baby Don’t’ – which John Legend sang on Sergio Mendes’ Timeless album – but he brought the house down when he sang the late Jabu Khanyile’s ‘Ungavumi’ as distinctively as Khanyile himself would have. Next up was Siphokazi. This was my first time watching her perform. In fact, I hadn’t heard much of her music other than one or two tracks that get often played on the radio; so I was quite curious to find out what she’s all about. Her voice is incredible – rich and powerful, which was surprising to me, given that she is quite soft-spoken. I remembered reading a few articles in which she was referred to as ‘the next Simphiwe Dana’. With due respect to Ms Dana, I can say categorically that Siphokazi is not the next anyone! She is a phenomenal talent in her own right. I enjoyed her authentic energy, her gracefulness and her voice, which is truly stunning. She scats like a queen from a bygone era – reminiscent of those jazz greats like Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughn. I...
Represent Photo’s: Sanzalicious @ Spaza
Let’s hope we won’t be struck with a snowstorm for saying this, but we think winter is being really kind to us here in Jozi. Supposedly we’re on the downhill to sprummer which is a wonderful notion, but right now the days are gloriously mild and balmy. We can’t complain. What better way to avert the ‘cold’ Sunday bedroom blues than a delicious outdoor lunch prepared by none other than Sanza Fakudze the soulful vegetarian chef at the sunny Spaza Art Gallery in Troyville. We’ve been going to feast on his delights for about three years now and we’re never disappointed. The sun streams into the courtyard, the crowd is eclectic, the mood laid back, the conversation enriching and the food delicious. At R30 a dish for interesting and subtle flavours and the most reasonably priced drinks in Jozi, it’s a winner for pre-month-end. Click here to see some pics of the day out – contact the Spaza gallery to find out when next the Sanzalicous is in the 2010 ‘hood. More...
Represent Review: Imperial Russian Ballet
Representah Werner scored some points with his wifey by sweeping her off to the Imperial Russian Ballet at the Civic aka Nelson Mandela Theatre. He says it’s a must see – so go on… treat your lady. See it! But hurry it’s showing from now ’till the 24th June. It is not very often that we have the privilege of being captivated by truly world class performances from international artists. Well, if you have been sitting on the sideline waiting for such an event, the wait is finally over. The Imperial Russian Ballet troupe is currently visiting South Africa and thrilling audiences for a limited number of performances. As the name suggests the group is from Moscow and was founded in 1994 by legendary Russian ballet dancer Maya Plisetskaya. The company has already toured several countries including diverse countries such as Australia, Japan, Germany and many more. The choreography, albeit mostly classical, tends to lean to the modernist style unique to performances we have learnt to expect from Russia. The stage design, costumes and wonderful music is only outdone by the incredible talent of the performers. The programme is unique in the sense that it is broken into two distinctive acts consisting of a number of interpretations of well known ballet masterpieces. The first act is dedicated to George Bizet’s “Carmen” and is a truly a fitting introduction to an evening of spectacular dance. The second act comprises of a number of restyled ballets that include “Swan Lake”, “Nutcracker”, “Don Quixote” and “Orpheus in the Underworld”. Audiences will be overwhelmed by the wealth of talent that exists within the troupe and left breathless by the masterful performances of dancers like Anastasia Mikheikina, Nariman Bekzhanov and Kirill Rad. The repertoire of the cast includes numerous well known ballets and it is clearly evident that the production and performers are set to thrill audiences worldwide for quite some time to come. The production is currently staged at the Nelson Mandela Theatre and runs from 19th to the 24th of June 2007. Lovers of the performing arts should note that this is truly one production that is not to be missed. Details: Venue: NELSON MANDELA THEATRE Date: June 19th – 24th Price: (from) R125 inclusive of booking fee THE IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BALLET IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BALLET was founded in April 1994, on the initiative of the legendary Russian ballet dancer Maya Plisetskaya. The group’s name is a tribute to both former “emperors” of the stage – immortal founders of the Russian ballet stage, and to the Emperor’s family, that had made a great historical contribution into native culture, including the foundation of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres....
Proudly brought to you by:
